Chapter 10

The room was in darkness, but that didn't bother Barnabas too much, as he made his way to the window. He was as familiar with Julia's living room, as he was at the Old House.

He stared out at the darkened grounds of Wyndcliffe, his thoughts weighing heavily on Nicholas' proposal, and the obvious problem of Angelique's latest news.

His still had doubts, if he could believe her or not; he could still recall that morning after he'd had the first 'dream.' For a brief time he'd seriously questioned if it had not truly happened. He'd believed they were only dreams, because he wanted to, the alternative being too impossible to contemplate. He had finally convinced himself that the dreams were the affect of some spell or potion at Angelique's disposal. Although the interludes were erotically charged, he could never actually recall any form of coupling. Thinking back, each episode was like seeing the beginning and the ending of a movie without seeing the action in the middle. What remained, he was now convinced, was only the essence of what he was expected to recall.

He sensed Julia's approach, but didn't turn.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, as she joined him. He shook his head, keeping his gaze on the world outside. He sighed, heavily. "I'm sorry, Julia," he said in a resigned voice. "It was never my intention, for any of this..." he bowed his head. "This can't be doing you or the baby any good."

"Barnabas don't," she leaned against him, and his arm encircled her, taking comfort in the feeling of security, he always felt with her.

"Can Nicholas be trusted, Julia?" he asked, finally turning to face her.

They'd talked long into the night over this very subject. They had retired an hour ago, with nothing resolved. Julia had fallen asleep, almost immediately, but he'd lain wide-awake beside her. When he was sure that he wouldn't disturb her, he'd returned to the living room.

Julia was silent as she considered her answer. Nicholas had surprised her on more than one occasion. He'd even helped save Barnabas' life; granted it had been to suit his own evil purpose, but she'd been grateful for his intervention at the time. "He can be as manipulative as Angelique. But he's interfered with her plans on more than one occasion. It would certainly prove to his advantage to see her defeated and he'll manage that by whatever means he can find, including seeking our help. As much as I hate to admit it, Barnabas, he just might be the answer, we've been looking for. We can't keep my pregnancy from the family for long. They'll find out eventually, as will Angelique, I'm sure."

He was silent, as he considered what she'd said. She smiled against he chest, as she added, "There's some truth to the saying, 'the enemy of my enemy, is my friend.'" She looked up at him. "The truth of the matter is, unless we do something, unless we can bring ourselves to trust Nicholas and accept his offer, Angelique intends to stick around. Whether she's telling the truth about the baby, doesn't matter. Our child would be at risk, either way."

His arms tightened around her, at her words. "I won't let anything happen to you and our child, Julia." He sighed. "There really isn't a choice, is there? If we refuse Nicholas' offer, Angelique will find out the truth, and then…." she felt the shudder ripple through his body, and held him tighter, trying to allay his fears; knowing that she shared them.

"I love you, Julia," he said from the darkness, after a few minutes.

"I love you, too," she said, looking up at him. Their lips met.

"Come on, let's go to bed," she said, steering him towards their room.

"There's nothing we can do, until morning anyway."

Barnabas watched concerned, as Julia returned to the kitchen, looking pale and tired. "Julia, why don't you take a few days off? Just until you're feeling better."

"I'm fine, Barnabas," she said, wrinkling her nose at the thought of even attempting to eat anything more.

He rose from the chair, moving to her side. "Julia, I'm worried about you," he said, putting his hands on her shoulder. "You can barely keep anything down, as it is."

She turned to face him, at first feeling irritated, but seeing the genuine concern, she relented. She smiled, "It's perfectly normal, Barnabas. I'll be fine by afternoon."

Angelique sauntered around the drawing room, with a smirk. "It's true, Nicholas," she said, coming to stop behind the wing back chair. "Barnabas and I are expecting a child. I told you, I would succeed this time."

Nicholas watched her for a moment, a smug look of his own on his face. He had appeared to Angelique, specifically to find out how her plans to gain Barnabas' affections were going.

Knowing what he did, he'd quickly ascertained that Angelique was lying. He'd suspected she was, but it was well worth confirming it. He could not detect the rapid heartbeat that he had quickly identified, with Julia Hoffman. Still, he saw no harm in playing her game.

"Then where is he?" Nicholas wanted to know, unable to resist baiting her.

"Why isn't he here, being the doting father-to-be?"

He resisted the urge to laugh, as he recalled Barnabas' attentiveness towards Julia. He had prevailed on them, for their answer, before calling on Angelique this afternoon to set his plans in motion. Collins was certainly devoted to Julia; that fact had really never been in doubt, but

Blair was sure that his concern for her well-being and that of the child she now carried, had been the ruling factor, in agreeing to this proposal.

Angelique turned to him, suspiciously. "Don't tell me there is trouble in paradise," he mocked. She didn't like what he was insinuating. He stared back at her, daring her to challenge him. She finally looked away. He continued to stare at her, his dark eyes glittered. "He doesn't seem as…devoted to you…. as he does to ... well...as devoted as you seem to want me to believe. Could it be that his affections lie elsewhere, dear Sister?"

Angelique's eyes seemed to hiss. "He and Julia are finished, Nicholas!" she almost spat. "In fact, he's with her now, telling her our happy news."

He infuriated her, by suddenly bursting out laughing. "I truly find that hard to imagine. I frankly can't see Barnabas Collins being happy about anything associated with you, Angelique. Tell me; have you any idea of what is to actually carry a child? How do you expect to pull off this little charade? Say, I know someone, who would be happy to give you some tips." He rose to his feet, snickering, without giving her a chance to reply. "You still have to prove his commitment towards you, Angelique, and time is rapidly running out." He slapped his grey gloves against his palm.

"You know, you really are pathetic. Only a human would resort to the oldest trick in the book, to get what she wants. I'm warning you. You better find the Master some concrete evidence of Collins' love for you and soon."